Canadian Buffaloberry vs Water Arum - TreeTime.ca

Canadian Buffaloberry vs Water Arum

Calla palustris

Shepherdia canadensis

CUSTOM GROW

Water Arum
Canadian Buffaloberry

Water Arum is a native perennial wetland plant known for its showy white oval sheaths (spathe) that surround a yellow-green, cylindrical flower spike (spadix). It has large, oblong, heart-shaped leaves on stems that rise above the water from shallow, spreading rhizomes. The blossoms are followed in late summer by tiny, pear-shaped fruits that ripen to bright red, adding ornamental interest to wet habitats.

Water Arum provides food for birds and small mammals that eat its berries, and its flowers attract pollinators. It can tolerate cold climates and forms colonies in shallow water and saturated soils. It is well-suited for ecological restoration, riparian planting, naturalisation, and habitat projects in wet and shaded environments.

Canadian Buffalo Berry is a native deciduous shrub found throughout North America. This hardy, medium-sized shrub will tolerate poor soil conditions and produces attractive, edible–though very bitter–red fruit.

Water Arum Quick Facts

Canadian Buffaloberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $6.99
Zone: 1b
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.2 m (0.8 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Growth form: colony-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none

Toxicity: toxic if ingested

Foliage: dark green with silver undersides
Flowers: white sheath around and yellow spike
Flowers: tiny, red
Bloom time: spring to summer
Berries: red, in clusters
Berries: red bitter berries (edible)
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: bog arum, swamp lily, wild calla, wild dragon
Other Names: canada buffalo berry, canada buffaloberry, canadian buffaloberry, foam berry, foamberry, russet buffaloberry, soap berry, soapberry, soopolallie